WWE Event in Atlanta Target of ISIS Threat: Anonymous

The online “hacktivist” group Anonymous has named several locations that may be attacked Sunday by the Islamic State including the WWE Survival Series being held at Atlanta’s Philips Arena.

In a message posted online, the group said it has uncovered information about a threat for the wrestling event but the threat wasn’t 100 percent confirmed. The group has said events in Paris, Rome, Indonesia, Milan and Lebanon are also under threat.

“All proof was submitted to official authorities all around the globe days ago. They have it and it is their responsibility to do something with it. But because they have not done anything with it yet and it’s almost the 22nd, we have matters into our hands. We only take the responsibility of warning civilians (incase the authorities do not act well enough),” the group wrote in the message.

The threats came from several pro-Daesh accounts, according to Anonymous. Daesh is another term used to refer to the militant group ISIS.

FBI officials told Channel 2 News they are taking the report seriously. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency is working with the FBI regarding the threat.

The FBI later released the following statement to several media organizations:

“The FBI is aware of reports of an alleged threat that includes an Atlanta, Georgia venue and event. While we take all threats seriously, we do not have specific or credible information of an attack at this time. We have, however, made the proper notifications as we continue to work closely with our law enforcement and private sector partners to keep our community safe.”

The warning comes after a series of attacks in Paris on Nov. 13 left 130 people dead.

A WWE spokeswoman told the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the event is scheduled to go on as planned.

Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed issued the following statement on the purported threat.

Out of an abundance of caution, I directed Chief Operating Officer Dan Gordon and Atlanta Police Chief George Turner to open the Joint Operations Center (JOC) today in response to the reported threats against Philips Arena and to support enhanced security for tonight’s public events in the City of Atlanta. Although the FBI has not found any credible threats relating to any events in the city, the Atlanta Police Department (APD) is actively monitoring the situation and is coordinating closely with our federal and state partners.

Over the past week, the City of Atlanta has increased security for all operations, including at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Atlanta Streetcar and for major public events. As always, APD stands ready to act in the case of an emergency.

There are several events in our city tonight, including the WWE Survivor Series, the Atlanta Falcons game, and the Macy’s Great Tree Lighting. If you see or hear something suspicious, please call 911 immediately.

In this holiday season and at all times, I encourage our residents and visitors to enjoy our city and not let fear guide you. Public safety remains my number one priority, and I am confident in our law enforcement agencies’ ability to keep us safe.

Patch File Photo